Here are the top myths that Debs and her colleagues at Scarsdale Vets deal with on a regular basis that you might find surprising:

Scarsdale Vets busts common myths about neutering your pets.

We all think we know about when it is and isn’t right to neuter our pets and the impact it will have, don’t we? Well perhaps not, as Scarsdale Vets launches a campaign this February which allows pet owners to access the correct information surrounding neutering surgery.

Sadly Staffies are the most likely breed of dog to be found in a rescue centre - and these four at RSPCA Coventry and Nuneaton branch are hoping someone can give them a home to make them smile again.

There are many rescue staffies desperately looking for their fur-ever homes. Figures show that 15% of the 14,707 dogs cared for by staff and volunteers at the 17 national RSPCA animal centres in 2016 were Staffordshire bull terriers while a further 7% were Staffie-crosses. This means the breed is much more likely to end up in a rescue centre.

Leading animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will be banning electric shock collars.

In a Holyrood debate today, MSPs debated the use of these training aids, with Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham stating that the Scottish Government had listened to concerns raised by animal welfare groups and the Scottish public, and will ban their use after a short consultation on how to enforce the plans.

Poor Billy has spent over half his life in rescue. Billy is a very special boy because, not only has he been waiting for almost FOUR YEARS to find his paw-fect home, he is also blind.

The seven-year-old Kelpie was rescued by the RSPCA in February 2014 with a number of other dogs.

“Billy was being kept in a small cage stacked up with many other dogs in a warehouse, living a very sad and lonely life - and missing out on the love and attention he craved,” Tony Shaw, deputy manager at RSPCA South Godstone, said.

Four puppies were abandoned in Guildford in freezing temperatures and winter storms
The RSPCA is appealing for information after four collie cross puppies were found abandoned in a ditch in Guildford.

The puppies were spotted by a dog walker on the common in Littlefield Close in Fairlands. Sadly, one of the puppies had died in the ditch and the two others were spotted running around Fairlands Common.

It is thought the third puppy died from exposure due to the extremely cold and wet conditions.

Today, 15 January, is Blue Monday – also known as the most depressing day of the year. To help brighten up your spirits, here are some of the homeless residents from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home who could make a real positive difference to your life.

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Gregory Berns talks about his book What It's Like to be a Dog, which is a thought provoking and fascinating read. Sue Corfield tells us about the dog activity holidays she runs in the beautiful Shropshire countryside. Plus we've rounded up some happy stories for the DogCast Radio News.

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.